Chief Minister Pema Khandu Felicitates Young Athlete Joti Mane

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday felicitated young athlete Joti Mane, who recently became the first from the state to win a gold medal in any national athletics championship.

Khandu congratulated Mane for her stupendous feat and affirmed that the entire state was proud of her. He encouraged her to keep practicing and bring more laurels for herself and the state.

“Set your goals high and work from the ground. Every citizen of Arunachal Pradesh is behind you,” he said.

The athlete won the 5000-mtr race in the girls’ U-20 category in the 31st East Zone Junior Athletics Championship, held in the capital city of Jharkhand, Ranchi, on September 14 and 15 last.

When informed that she clocked 19.45 minutes to win the Gold, Pema Khandu lauded the in-born talent in her and reiterated that raw talents are abundant in youths, particularly of the remote districts of the state.

Mane hails from remote Monigong in the newly created district of Shi-Yomi.

The young athlete admitted that there are many talented athletes in her village, who, now after witnessing her success, we're eager to take to track provided basic facilities are made available.

Expressing gratitude to the chief minister, Mane attributed her success to her coach, M K Pegu because of whom she is availing the training facilities at the Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy here while pursuing her BA degree at the Dera Natung Government College, here.

Pegu informed that Mane was spotted by a talent hunting organization when she was studying at Aalo but could not attend the final selection camp at Guwahati due to her class 12 examinations.

“After her exams, I pursued with the DNGC authorities and got her admitted under sports quota so that she could train at the sports academy,” Pegu, who is retiring next year, said.

When asked about the training facilities at the academy, Mane said that facilities are in place but not up to level.

“Here we train on the different ground but have to run on a different surface in competitions. It would be helpful for our athletes if similar tracks are prepared here,” she said.

She further profusely thanked the Chief Minister for felicitating her and said that the meeting was a dream comes true for her.

Mane promised the chief minister that she will give her best in the ensuing 35th National Junior Athletics Championship, scheduled from November 1 next in Andhra Pradesh.

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